Removing Raccoons from a Chimney

Raccoons are a common sight in the Midwest often noticed at nighttime roaming the streets and in garbage cans looking for dinner. As nocturnal creatures, they are typically awake during the wee hours of the night annoying us humans in the process. They also have dexterous front paws allowing them to easily climb and access places they shouldn’t including a home’s chimney. While disconcerting at first, having a raccoon take refuge in your chimney is no reason for alarm. Just follow some simple guidelines on how to remove them from the space.

Raccoons often choose chimneys because they offer a safe, warm environment for them to inhabit. Most often a mother is seeking a place to protect her babies from the elements and other predators. She also wants to keep them away from older male raccoons who are often threatened by baby males and have been known to kill them. The first sign of a raccoon infestation is often the sound of clawing or scratching in the chimney, especially at night.

Some homeowners make the mistake of trying to smoke-out an animal. This can have the reverse effect of killing them or the mother may leave the babies behind. Others try to seal the chimney when the raccoon goes out to search for food. Since more often than not there are babies in the chimney, this may only block the mother from re-entering while leaving the babies to fend for themselves.

When dealing with a raccoon problem, it is important to ensure that both the mother and the babies are removed from the chimney. The most humane and easiest way to accomplish this is by safely taking out the critters alive. Chimney traps can be helpful in both capturing them and transporting them elsewhere. A pest control expert can assist in the process.

Once the raccoons are removed, it is important to remove the feces and other mess they left behind. A certified chimney sweep can be scheduled to clean the chimney and make it safe to use once again. You will also want to prevent the problem from reoccurring. Placing a chimney cap on the top of the unit can stop raccoons, birds, squirrels, and other small critters from gaining access to your chimney.

If you recently had an animal infestation in your chimney, contact Lindemann Chimney Service to schedule a thorough chimney cleaning. We can inspect the space to ensure no little ones are left behind while also clearing the area of their debris. Once completed, you will be free to enjoy your fireplace once again.